Noelle
Pikus-Pace

Bobsled and Skeleton

Noelle Pikus-Pace's strength and speed has led her to become one of the best skeleton sliders in the world since beginning the sport in 2001. Pikus-Pace suffered a compound fracture of her lower right leg as a result of a freak accident when she was struck by a bobsled, causing her to miss the first half of the 2005-2006 season. Showing her true competitiveness and determination, Pikus-Pace recovered and had the best season of her skeleton career in 2006-2007, claiming the World Championship title in St. Moritz and finishing second overall in World Cup standings, just behind teammate Katie Uhlaender.

Pikus-Pace took a break from the sport during the 2007-2008 season to have her first child, Lacee Lynne Pace, but returned to the sport in top form again. She raced to fourth place at the 2010 Vancouver Games and announced her retirement after the final run. Just a year after having her son, Traycen, Pikus-Pace and her husband, Janson, decided she'd make a comeback and aim for a medal at the 2014 Sochi Games. Pikus-Pace swept the national team selection races series to earn her position back on the team.

Pikus-Pace is the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Utah Valley State College in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Community Health and Physical Education and received a master's degree in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University in 2008. Pikus-Pace participated as a track and field athlete while at college, where she broke the Utah Valley University high jump record and was named first team All-American. Pikus-Pace also won the 2005 NJCAA National discuss championships. After graduating she assisted in coaching track and field at Utah Valley State College.

2012-2013 World Cup
-6th in Whistler (11/12), BRONZE in Winterberg (12/12), 4th Team Event in Winterberg (12/12), BRONZE in Altenberg (1/13), GOLD in Konigssee (1/13), SILVER in Igls (1/13), GOLD Team Event at World Championships in St. Moritz (1/13), SILVER at World Championships in St. Moritz (1/13), GOLD in Sochi (2/13)

2012-2013 North American Cup
-GOLD in Park City #1 (11/12), GOLD in Park City #2 (11/12), 4th in Calgary #1 (11/12), SILVER in Calgary #2 (11/12)

5th overall in 2009-2010 World Cup-13th in Park City (11/09), 5th in Lake Placid (11/09), 6th in Cesana (12/09), 8th in Winterberg (12/09), 9th in Altenberg (12/09), 6th in Konigssee (1/10), 8th in St. Moritz (1/10), 5th in Igls (1/10)

8th overall in 2008-2009 World Cup-5th in Winterberg (11/28), 9th in Altenberg (12/5), 14th in Igls (12/12), 9th in Konigssee (1/9), 5th in St. Moritz (1/16), 14th in Whistler (2/6), BRONZE in Park City (2/11), 9th in Park City (2/12)